Targeted cell reprogramming produces analgesic chromaffin-like cells from human mesenchymal stem cells

Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Expressing the Human Preproenkephalin Gene Can Relieve Pain in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain

Transgenic therapy for central neuralgia faces the problems of low expression and weak targeting and affects superficial but not deep neurons. In this study, we generated a lentivirus vector with human preproenkephalin gene (hPPE) expression driven by the transcriptional amplification strategy system (TAS) and established a primary bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (BMSC) line stably expressing hPPE for transplantation into a rat model of neuropathic pain rat. The paw thermal withdrawal latency assay and paw mechanical withdrawal threshold assay showed that unlike control BMSCs and BMSCs with hPPE overexpression driven by the CMV or Synapsin 1 (SYN1) promoter, TAS-hPPE BMSCs had a robust and lasting analgesic effect. The TAS-hPPE BMSC-treated group exhibited higher expression of TAS-driven hPPE and a higher ratio of BMSCs in the midbrain, spinal cord and cortex then the CMV-hPPE BMSC- and SYN1-hPPE BMSC-treated groups. Moreover, we also observed that TAS-hPPE BMSCs displayed a greater tendency to differentiate into neurons and exhibit neuronal-like distribution than CMV-hPPE or SYN1-hPPE BMSCs. In conclusion, our study shows that the TAS improves BMSC transgenic therapy for neuropathic pain treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow attenuated the chronic morphine-induced cAMP accumulation in vitro

Even though opioid tolerance is both a common and a major challenge in medicine, treatment with opioids is currently the primary method used to treat acute and chronic pain. The cAMP accumulation induced by chronic morphine is regarded as one of the molecular mechanisms leading to its tolerance and dependence characteristics. In the present study, we differentiated SH-SY5Y cells into neuron-like cells by retinoic acid (RA), pretreated these cells with morphine, and tested their cAMP levels under different conditions, including co-culture with bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (hMSCs-BM) at various hMSCs-BM/SH-SY5Y ratios (1:5, 1:25, and 1:125), by direct cell-to-cell contact or without cell-to-cell contact, and by conditioned medium (CM) from hMSCs-BM. We found that chronic treatment with 10 μM morphine led to cAMP upregulation in those RA-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells while the morphine induced-cAMP accumulation was significantly attenuated by co-culturing with hMSCs-BM by direct cell-to-cell contact at a lower cell ratio (1:25) and a higher cell ratio (1:5). However, at neither the low or higher cell ratios could hMSCs-BM inhibit morphine-induced cAMP accumulation in RA-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells without cell-to-cell contact. In summary, hMSCs-BM can successfully inhibit morphine-induced cAMP up-regulation in RA-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells by cell-to-cell contact at a higher ratio, suggesting that hMSCs-BM may serve as valuable therapeutics to minimize the risk of drug abuse and addiction in the treatment of morphine tolerance and dependence.

Intrathecal administration of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells genetically modified with human proenkephalin gene decrease nociceptive pain in neuropathic rats

Background

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been one of the potential tools in neuropathic pain therapy; however, the augmented efficacy may be expected when they are modified with human proenkephalin (hPPE) gene. In the current study, the antinociceptive effect of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) engineered with hPPE gene (hPPE-hBMSCs) on sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats was investigated.

Methods

Primary-cultured hBMSCs were passaged and modified with hPPE, and the cell suspensions (6 × 10⁶) were then intrathecally injected into a rat model of CCI. Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency were measured before and after CCI surgery. The effects of hPPE gene transfer on hBMSCs bioactivity were analyzed in vitro and in vivo.

Results

No changes were observed in the surface phenotypes and differentiation of hBMSCs after gene transfer. The hPPE-hBMSC group showed improved paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw thermal withdrawal latency values on the ipsilateral side of rats with CCI from day 9 post-surgery, and the analgesic effect was reversed by naloxone. Leucine-enkephalin (L-EK) secretion was augmented in the hPPE-engineered hBMSC group.

Conclusions

The intrathecal administration of BMSCs modified with hPPE gene can effectively relieve pain caused by chronic constriction injury in rats and might be a potentially therapeutic tool for neuropathic pain in humans.

Antinociceptive Effect of Intrathecal Injection of Genetically Engineered Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells Expressing the Human Proenkephalin Gene in a Rat Model of Bone Cancer Pain

Background. This study aimed to investigate the use of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) genetically engineered with the human proenkephalin (hPPE) gene to treat bone cancer pain (BCP) in a rat model. Methods. Primary cultured hBMSCs were passaged and modified with hPPE, and the cell suspensions (6 × 10⁶) were then intrathecally injected into a rat model of BCP. Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) was measured before and after BCP. The effects of hPPE gene transfer on hBMSC bioactivity were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Results. No changes were observed in the surface phenotypes and differentiation of hBMSCs after gene transfer. The hPPE-hBMSC group showed improved PMWT values on the ipsilateral side of rats with BCP from day 12 postoperatively, and the analgesic effect was reversed by naloxone. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 were ameliorated, and leucine-enkephalin (L-EK) secretion was augmented, in the hPPE-engineered hBMSC group. Conclusion. The intrathecal administration of BMSCs modified with the hPPE gene can effectively relieve pain caused by bone cancer in rats and might be a potentially therapeutic tool for cancer-related pain in humans.

Direct reprogramming of human bone marrow stromal cells into functional renal cells using cell-free extracts

The application of cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine is gaining recognition. Here, we show that human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), also known as bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal cells, can be reprogrammed into renal proximal tubular-like epithelial cells using cell-free extracts. Streptolysin-O-permeabilized BMSCs exposed to HK2-cell extracts underwent morphological changes—formation of “domes” and tubule-like structures—and acquired epithelial functional properties such as transepithelial-resistance, albumin-binding, and uptake and specific markers E-cadherin and aquaporin-1. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of brush border microvilli and tight intercellular contacts. RNA sequencing showed tubular epithelial transcript abundance and revealed the upregulation of components of the EGFR pathway. Reprogrammed BMSCs integrated into self-forming kidney tissue and formed tubular structures. Reprogrammed BMSCs infused in immunodeficient mice with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury engrafted into proximal tubuli, reduced renal injury and improved function. Thus, reprogrammed BMSCs are a promising cell resource for future cell therapy.

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BMSCs cross lineage boundaries toward renal cells via cell-extract reprogramming

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Reprogrammed BMSCs acquire proximal tubular-like epithelial cell properties

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Reprogrammed BMSCs integrate into proximal tubuli and protect mice from AKI

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2013

This paper is the thirty-sixth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2013 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.